Patenting

Guidance on patent applications, searches, and procedures for protecting inventions in the UK. Articles cover different patent types, application timing, examination processes, and trademark considerations.

Applying for a Patent

Walk through how patent applications are structured, from title and background through to technical drawings and descriptions.

Counteracting Patent Infringement

Stop someone from stealing your invention by understanding patent infringement and how to protect your rights.

Design Patents

How design patents and UK design rights protect the look and feel of your products.

How to Do Your Own Preliminary Patent Search

Check what's already patented in your field before investing time and money in your invention.

Patent Examining Procedure

Your patent application typically takes three to four years to get approved, and here's what happens at each stage of the process.

Patent Marks and Patent Pending

Patents protect your invention from unauthorized copying, while patent marks and pending status signal your legal ownership.

Patent Search

Checking what patents already exist in your field helps you avoid wasted work and shows why your invention is genuinely different.

Plant Patents for New Plant Varieties

Get your new plant variety protected through US plant patents, which cover asexually reproduced varieties and last 20 years.

Trade Marking a Name for Your Invention

Protect your invention's name by trademarking it and understanding why securing exclusive rights to your brand matters.

Understanding Patent Rules as a Budding Inventor

Patents come down to three basic rules: your invention must be new, involve a genuine advance, and actually work or be useful in practice.

When Should You Patent?

Figure out the right time to patent your invention by understanding when it's developed enough and what changes might come later.